Sometimes, home can be far from where you were born and everything you know. Moving overseas may offer opportunities and a new perspective on life that can be more fulfilling.
But leaving your home country for another is not without challenges stemming from adjusting to a new culture.
Many foreigners struggling to fit into their new society often turn to expat communities for support.
These are fellow expatriates with similar origins who share much in common with you and have come together to support and benefit newcomers like yourself. At a time when you’re still trying to find your footing in a new environment, these communities can genuinely be your tribe away from home.
Online Resources
The web offers the easiest and fastest way to find and connect with other foreigners in the country or area you’ve relocated or plan to relocate to. There is a ton of vital information at your fingertips, and all you need to do is browse the internet.
In today’s connected world, you can learn much about your destination before moving. Websites like International Citizens Group are dedicated to serving expats, offering a wealth of resources and advice.
Let’s look at how you can leverage the online space to find expats where you are.
Expat Platforms
The internet has many sites that are purely dedicated spaces for expatriates. These expat platforms generally encourage users to share advice and experiences. Not only that, top expat platforms like InterNations provide resources and information relevant to your specific international location.
When looking for expat communities, these big, social media-like websites for expats and travelers should be your go-to. They are more comprehensive with tools like forums, articles, real-time news, and organized meetups.
The value expat platforms offer is huge, which makes it easy to find the right community where you are.
Here are some of the best platforms with massive global communities of expatriates:
- InterNations
- Expatica
- Meetup
- Expat Focus
- Expat Exchange
Social Media
Social media networks are useful tools for almost everyone, and that extends to individuals living abroad. Most of these platforms have groups, pages, or hashtags you can follow to be a part of the specific conversations.
A quick search using relevant keywords on Facebook, for example, offers plenty of groups and pages related to expatriates. Some of these are specific to a particular country, while others have members from around the world. A few examples of these communities on Facebook include:
- Expats in Mexico (Country-specific)
- Expat Connection (International)
- Expats in Portugal (Country-specific)
- Global Nomads and Expatriates Network (International)
- Expats Living in France (Country-specific)
Traditional Means
Besides the online space, the next best way to find other expats in your area is to utilize the traditional means. By traditional, we mean everything outside of browsing the internet. And, so long as you take advantage of the outdoors and not remain cooped up in the house, you will soon begin to see progress.
Here are traditional ways to find an expat community within your area:
Explore Your surroundings
When exploring your new surroundings, you will be surprised how many people you can meet with similar backgrounds, beliefs, and interests. Take advantage of being in a different country and culture and explore.
Attend Events
Social and cultural events are common almost everywhere. Take the time to attend these local events and be among people. Who knows, you may just meet other foreigners who are also in attendance.
Embrace an Activity
A new place is like a clean slate. Use that opportunity to try new things or keep up with activities you love. Maintain your hobbies or embrace a new one. Sign up to learn new skills, especially the local language, as this will help you to meet others like you.
Go Out with a Purpose
So long as you’re out there, the chances you will meet other expats are high. But you can embrace the outside with a plan to accelerate the process. When dining out or visiting local pubs, prioritize establishments frequented by expats. These are generally places known to cater to international visitors.
In Summary
As an expat, any support in finding employment, housing, friendship, and generally settling in is invaluable. Expat communities can help you with that and provide a much-needed sense of belonging away from home. That makes it important to know how to locate these communities where you are.